Ten Europeans projected to get drafted in 1st Round of 2024 NBA Draft / News - Basketnews.com

Five Europeans are seen as Top 10 talent, while five more prospects are projected to go in the 1st Round.

Credit: ABA League j.t.d./Dragana Stjepanovic, Ethan Miller /Getty Images North America/Getty Images via AFP, Gytis Blaževičius Credit ABA League j.t.d./Dragana Stjepanovic, Ethan Miller /Getty Images North America/Getty Images via AFP, Gytis Blaževičius

Even though the 2024 NBA Draft is still months away, the top prospects all around the world are being discussed as potential draftees.

Zaccharie Risacher

MIN:21.17PTS:12.2 (56.36%)REB:4.4As:0.8ST:1.2BL:1TO:2GM:5ProfileEuroCup2023/2024

Jonathan Givony, ESPN's renowned journalist who focuses on youth basketball, released the first mock draft of the 2023-24 NBA season. It features ten European prospects in the 1st Round, with five of them being projected to go in the Top 10.

Alex Sarr is the highest-ranked name on the list. The French big man, who plays for the Perth Wildcats in the Australian NBL, is ranked second out of all prospects. Although he didn't dazzle the crowds in the 2023 FIBA World Cup this past summer, 18-year-old Sarr "drops outstanding glimpses of talent in every area," Givony notes.

Former LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne forward Zaccharie Risacher is next on the list at no. 5. The 18-year-old transferred from the EuroLeague club to Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse that plays in the EuroCup, the second-highest-level international competition in Europe. Risacher averages solid numbers of 12.2 points and 4.4 rebounds for 11.8 PIR in the tournament.

Matas Buzelis, an American-born Lithuanian, is listed sixth. The 2.08-meter forward has a wide array of skills that can translate to the professional game. He chose to represent the G League Ignite team instead of going to college. During the summer, he put on an extra 25 pounds (11.3 kg) of weight to deal with the increased level of competition, Givony notes.

Izan Almansa, who became the first player ever to win the MVP trophy at both U17 FIBA World Cup and the U19 FIBA World Cup, is marked at number 9. He averaged 16.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game in the tournament en route to an undefeated run with Spain. Together with Buzelis, Almansa will play for G League Ignite this year.

Serbian talent Nikola Topic is listed at number 10. Last summer, he signed his first professional contract with Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade but was loaned to Mega MIS Belgrade in the ABA League to better develop and showcase his talent. He's been spectacular so far, averaging an impressive 20.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 1 steal for 23.3 PIR per game.

Besides the top five, five more Europeans are projected to go in the 1st Round:

12 - Aday Mara - Spain 18 - Tidjane Salaun - France 19 - Baba Miller - Spain 21 - Bobi Klintman - Sweden 24 - Juan Nunez - Spain Like what we are doing? Support us by becoming BN+ member.